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Mostly Sitting
$93,010
Average Salary
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Electrical and electronics engineers must have a bachelor’s degree. Employers also value practical experience, so participation in cooperative engineering programs, in which students earn academic credit for structured work experience. Having a Professional Engineer (PE) license may improve an engineer’s chances of finding employment.
EducationHigh school students interested in studying electrical or electronics engineering benefit from taking courses in physics and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Courses in drafting are also helpful, because electrical and electronics engineers often are required to prepare technical drawings.
In order to enter the occupation, prospective electrical and electronics engineers need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology. Programs include classroom, laboratory, and field studies. Courses include digital systems design, differential equations, and electrical circuit theory. Programs in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology should be accredited by ABET.
Some colleges and universities offer cooperative programs in which students gain practical experience while completing their education. Cooperative programs combine classroom study with practical work. Internships provide similar experience and are growing in number.
At some universities, students can enroll in a 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. A graduate degree allows an engineer to work as an instructor at some universities, or in research and development.
Important QualitiesConcentration. Electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products. They must be able to keep track of multiple design elements and technical characteristics when performing these tasks.
Initiative. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake. In addition, they must engage in continuing education to keep up with changes in technology.
Interpersonal skills. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly. This collaboration includes monitoring technicians and devising remedies to problems as they arise.
Math skills. Electrical and electronics engineers must be able to use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment.
Speaking skills. Electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians. They must be able to explain their designs and reasoning clearly and to relay instructions during product development and production. They also may need to explain complex issues to customers who have little or no technical expertise.
Writing skills. Electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsLicensure is not required for entry-level positions as electrical and electronics engineers. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be taken right after graduation from a college or university. Engineers who pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After getting work experience, EITs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
Several states require engineers to take continuing education courses to keep their license. Most states recognize licensure from other states if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements.
AdvancementElectrical and electronic engineers may advance to supervisory positions in which they lead a team of engineers and technicians. Some may move to management positions, working as engineering or program managers. Preparation for managerial positions usually requires working under the guidance of a more experienced engineer. For more information, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
For sales work, an engineering background enables engineers to discuss a product's technical aspects and assist in product planning and use. For more information, see the profile on sales engineers.
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Design Engineer Internship
Top Careers After Design Engineer Internship
Gender
Male
77.0%Female
16.3%Unknown
6.7%Ethnicity
White
62.0%Asian
23.9%Hispanic or Latino
8.6%Unknown
4.1%Black or African American
1.3%Languages Spoken
Spanish
25.1%Chinese
14.4%Mandarin
13.2%German
9.6%French
6.0%Japanese
4.8%Hindi
3.6%Cantonese
3.6%Turkish
2.4%Italian
2.4%Portuguese
2.4%Gujarati
1.8%Russian
1.8%Carrier
1.8%Arabic
1.8%Indonesian
1.2%Malay
1.2%Filipino
1.2%Tagalog
1.2%Swedish
0.6%Design Engineer Internship
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Schools
Purdue University
11.7%Iowa State University
10.3%Arizona State University
9.8%Texas A&M University
5.4%San Jose State University
5.2%University of Southern California
4.9%Missouri University of Science and Technology
4.4%State University of New York Buffalo
4.4%Rochester Institute of Technology
4.2%University of Texas at Arlington
4.0%Pennsylvania State University
4.0%University of Florida
3.7%University of Illinois at Chicago
3.5%Kansas State University
3.5%Ohio State University
3.5%University of Texas at Dallas
3.5%Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
3.5%University of Central Florida
3.5%Clemson University
3.5%University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
3.3%Majors
Degrees
Bachelors
56.6%Masters
32.0%Other
6.0%Doctorate
3.2%Associate
1.4%Certificate
0.5%Diploma
0.2%Design Engineer Internship
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
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Electronics Corporation of India Limited
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